I was at a coffee shop, taking small break from visits to art galleries; my weekly ritual that helps my sanity stay intact. Immersed in my favourite latte and a book, completely soaking in sights, sounds
and fragrances of heady concoction of scent of heavy rain from outside the shop and coffee wafting in air, I was enjoying lovely weather of beautiful rainy day.
I no more feel shy to walk in a coffee
shop and have my cuppa with leisure. I always carry a book to bury my head especially when alone. It is
fascinating observing human behaviour at public places like coffee shops, air ports, museums or art galleries.
To the table next to
mine, barely meter away, were seated three men. It was impossible to escape their
conversation and what got me interested in it was that it felt like I was
witnessing greatest bragging session in my life!
One of the men was
talking most, trying to impress others by never ending tales of his success,
grabbing every opportunity to discuss in detail how intelligent and smart he
had been in achieving everything in life. He was so blind in regaling his self
indulgent sense of ultra exuberant confidence and knowledge, blatantly ignoring need
to let others speak or listen to their views.
It
became so amusing at one point with sentences like, "they knew they had no chance against me", "that is how a real deal is sealed", "when you are knowledgeable people bow to you, you see!", "that is how I tackled the ministers", "making money is no big deal" becoming too loud for comfort, I looked up from my book, casually
glancing at the group pitying evidently frustrated and restless listeners of
the bragger.
After a while, when I left the coffee shop, giving the bragger, "do you seriously think the world really cares?" look, one of the members of the group glanced at me,
shrugging with half smile, as if showing his helplessness and crying for help.
I smiled at him back conveying my sympathy for him and his buddy.
Bragging is annoying
personality trait. There are deeper reasons to why we do it. It is result of
some deep rooted insecurity, fear of rejection, or desperate need for approval.
Nobody minds a little bit of bragging when done in moderation in casual vain but when it
crosses a certain point, it becomes irksome.
Unfortunately, in today’s
times, many people believe that to be successful, one needs to blow one’s
trumpet. Perhaps, that is why social networking sites are replete with bragging champions.
My life experience and observation has taught me that if
someone is truly extraordinary, he/she is bound to get noticed and respected
for it. Fortunately, to support this belief, I find one common trait that I find most inspiring and attractive in some of the most
successful people I have privilege to know personally and meet in my
professional life and that is, humility!
“ Tell me what you brag about and I'll tell you what you lack"
-Spanish proverb
|
